LETTERS WITH TANAKA Hello, I am John Tanaka. I am the question answerer and letter receiverer here at IGN Japan.

Before answering your questions for this week, I would like to ask you a question of my own. Do you have a question about the Japanese game market? Do you want to express your thoughts on anything Japanese game related? Do you like one of our young idols and want to let the world know about your perversions?

If any of these apply to you, send your mail to the Gaming Life in Japan mailbox. We get thousands of letters every day, so we will not be able to answer all of them personally. However, we will post the best ones here.

Let us begin the exciting column for this week.

LETTER #1

Hello. I'm Andy and I am a stupid head. I live in the Kochi part of Japan where they speak a strange form of local Japanese that no one else in the country can understand.

Anyhow, I'd like to point out that PSP pre-orders have actually begun over here. One large retailer, Yamada Denki, is taking pre-orders for both the PSP and DS.

Just thought I'd let you know.

-- Andy

TANAKA RESPONDS: Thank you for the heads-up, stupid head. We would encourage you to check with the retailer on if a pre-order will actually secure you a system. Sony Computer Entertainment will have to allot systems very strictly on launch day, as there are only 200,000 to go around. You will probably have to pay in full in order to be sure you have a system secure.

LETTER #2

Hey Guys.

Help me out if possible. I'm in Japan right now and I'll be here for the next year or so. I want to get a Japanese videogame system and I was hoping to play a game with English subtitles so that I can learn some Japanese from playing. What system and games do you recommend? Or if there are no games that fit the bill, I wanted to get a one of those cool bundles that Japan always gets. What console has the best bundle/themed console on the market right now?

Thanks for any help.

-- Gabriel

TANAKA RESPONDS: Thank you for your questions, Gabriel. There are not too many games that have English subtitles. However, there are more games that have English voices with Japanese subtitles -- Resident Evil and Onimusha come to mind. If you are serious about learning Japanese, have you considered learning Hiragana and Katakana first? Once you know these, you will be able to look up words that you do not know. Most Nintendo games are made for younger gamers and thus include readings for all the kanji.

As for your bundle question, no system has greater bundles than the Xbox. The Platinum 3 pack arrives on 11/18 with Halo, Top Spin, Blinx 2, Project Gotham 2 and the DVD playback kit, all for under $180! You can also consider getting the upcoming PS2/GT4 racing bundle, or, if you want to play Final Fantasy XI, the PS2 network pack.

LETTER #3

Would you happen to have anymore info on the Giant Robo game for the PS2? What type of genre is it?

Also, any word of any official release date for Super Robot Wars: OG2 (GBA)?

chinito77

TANAKA RESPONDS: We were not aware that so little was known on Giant Robo when we posted the advertisement in last week's issue. Since that time, we have learned plenty of information about the game. Please turn to the next page for a quick recap of what can be expected of this game.

Super Robot Wars: Original Generation 2 is still listed in Famitsu for a Winter release. However, as Super Robot Wars games are released so frequently, we are sure you can count on seeing it early in the season rather than late.

Remember to send all your Japan-related questions and letters to the Gaming Life in Japan mailbox. Who knows, perhaps you will be made famous by having your letter printed in the next Gaming Life in Japan.